Product: Guild X-170
Price Paid: UNKNOWN
Submitted
06/08/2009
at
09:30am
by
David Holst
Features
:
10
The X-170 I purchased used was made in the U.S. It is a single cutaway, a bit thicker than a Gibson 335 but thinner than a Gibson 175. It has two humbucking pickups, a three way selector switch, a coil tap and two volume and two tone controls. It has a rosewood fingerboard. I am not sure of the body woods. It has a bright orange finish. It came with a Bigsby tail piece.
Sound
:
9
I really love the sound of this Guild. I was planning on purchasing a Japanese Gretsch until a friend showed me the Guild that he was trying to sell for a friend. I wanted to play Beatles music and some rockabilly. I play this through a Peavey Classic 212 50 watt amp. The sound I get is amazing. It is great for the music I want to use it for. It gets the rockabilly sound when I add reverb, and I can come close to the George Harrison sound. It was orignally strung with flat wound jazz strings which I replaced with Ernie Ball 10-52 (light tops with heavy bottoms.) This made a big difference in sound. It sounded brighter, not as mellow as with the flat wounds. I use a few effects such as a compressor, fuzz, equalizer unit and a phaser. I think the guitar was orignally intended to be used as a jazz guitar, but with alterations it can be a nice rock guitar.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
9
The action is great up and down the fingerboard. I do find that it can go easily out of tune when using the Bigsby. This is not uncommon. I have had Bigsby tailpieces on other guitars and found this to be the same.
Reliability/Durability
:
9
When I purchased this guitar it was virtually unplayed. It has gold hardware that is still bright. I replaced the strap buttons with Dunlap locking buttons which I do for all my guitars. The finish is a cool orange very much like a Gretsch. It has the old school vibe. I would use this for my main axe at a gig. I do feel that it could cover all types of music vey well.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
10
I am very happy I bought this guitar. It is 11 years old, and as I said, it is virtually unplayed. I would have paid at least double for a Gretsch Japanese made Tennessee Rose. I believe I got a steal for $650.00. I have absolutely no regrets or buyers remorse. My guitar arsenal includes A Triggs San Salvador, a Heritage CM 140, an Eastwood Nashville 12, and a Morgan Monroe accoustic-electric.
